Year’s End

There is, perhaps, a moment

for looking back along the year,

calling to remembrance

the things that were unknown,

the things we thought might be

before events rolled out their tracks,

other possibilities extinguished

by emerging facts

There’s always time

for flashes of gratitude

for what has developed —

understanding, skills acquired,

brightening deepening streams of love

There’s less time for wistfulness

at things left behind —

the wind here blows strong and steady,

bearing us onward

in our present purpose.

©Wendy Mulhern

December 27, 2015